Kona Kai San Diego

4.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Kona Kai San Diego

Water view
Point of interest
Point of interest
Premium bedding, minibar, in-room safe, individually decorated
2 outdoor pools, open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, pool cabanas (surcharge)

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Housekeeping
  • Bar
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

Map
1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA, 92106
  • Shelter Island
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • USS Midway Museum
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • SeaWorld
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Room options

Waterview One Bedroom Suite

  • Marina view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

Mobility/Hearing Accessible King

  • Resort view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Kona Kai One Bedroom Suite

  • Marina view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

Deluxe Two Queen

  • Resort view
  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Fire Pit Junior Suite

  • Resort view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Bayview Two Queen

  • Ocean view
  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Waterfront Fireplace Junior Suite

  • Bay view
  • 39 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Marina View King

  • Marina view
  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Marina View Two Queen

  • Marina view
  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Deluxe King

  • Resort view
  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Bayview King

  • Ocean view
  • 32 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Marina View Junior Suite Two Queen

  • Marina view
  • 39 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Bayview Junior Suite Two Queen

  • Bay view
  • 39 sq m
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Bayview Junior Suite King

  • Bay view
  • 39 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Marina View Junior Suite King

  • Marina view
  • 39 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Deluxe Junior Suite

  • Resort view
  • 35 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

Kona Kai San Diego

On private beach with 2 outdoor pools, near Shelter Island
Spend the day catching some rays at Kona Kai San Diego's private sand beach, relaxing by one of the hotel's 2 outdoor swimming pools, or pampering yourself at the full-service spa.
Kona Kai San Diego offers 170 accommodations, which are accessible via exterior corridors and feature iPod docking stations and minibars. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. A pillow menu is available. 42-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium digital channels and pay-per-view films. Fridges and coffee/tea makers are provided. Bathrooms include designer toiletries, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and safes, as well as telephones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

A private beach and a marina are featured at the hotel. 2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with Access to hot tub. Other recreational amenities include a steam room and a fitness centre.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

The on-site spa has 6 treatment rooms, including rooms for couples. Massages are available on the beach and in the spa. Other services include deep-tissue massages, hot stone massages and sports massages. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy. The spa is equipped with a hot tub and a steam room.

The spa is open daily. Guests under 18 years old are not allowed in the spa.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Kona Kai San Diego. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Shelter Island. Features include free WiFi in public areas, plus 2 outdoor pools and 2 poolside bars. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls.
  • Free WiFi
  • Enjoy local cuisine and pool views while dining at Vessel Restaurant and Bar
  • Buffet breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Self-parking available for a fee
  • Take a swim in the 2 outdoor pools or soak in the hot tub
  • Treat yourself to facials, body treatments or body scrubs at the spa
  • Services include dry cleaning/laundry, a concierge and tour or ticket assistance
  • On-site recreation includes a private beach, a gym and a steam room
  • 9 minutes by car from Old Town San Diego State Park and 11 minutes from USS Midway Museum
  • Dogs welcome for a fee
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls
Simply walk outside to smell the salty air and watch the ocean waves from the sandy beach. Hit the beach and work on your tan in the sunloungers (chaise longues) or relax in the shade with cabanas (surcharge) and umbrellas. At Kona Kai San Diego, you can cool off in one of the 2 outdoor swimming pools and indulge in a pampering afternoon at the full-service spa.

Along with a restaurant, there's a snack bar/deli on site. For a drink, you can stop by one of the on-site bars, including 2 poolside bars and 2 bars/lounges. A computer station is on site and WiFi is free in public spaces. This eco-certified hotel also offers a hot tub, a steam room and a fitness centre. Parking is available for a fee.

This 4-star San Diego hotel is smoke free.

For a fee, guests can enjoy buffet breakfast on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and at the weekend from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Vessel Restaurant and Bar – Overlooking the pool, this restaurant specialises in local cuisine and serves breakfast, brunch, dinner and light fare. Guests can order drinks at the bar and enjoy al fresco dining (weather permitting). A children's menu is available. Happy hour is offered.
Paloma Bar – This poolside bar only serves light fare. Open selected days.
Tiki Bar – This poolside bar only serves light fare. A children's menu is available. Happy hour is offered. Open selected days.

Awards and affiliations

Eco-certified property
This property participates in Green Key Global – a programme that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural heritage and the local economy.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Parking on site (USD 46 per night; includes in/out privileges)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on weekends; USD 32 to 50 per person
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • 2 poolside bars
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Paloma Bar
  • Tiki Bar
  • Vessel Restaurant and Bar

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Beach yoga
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Boat tours
  • Fitness classes
  • Full-service spa
  • Gym
  • Hot tub
  • Kayaking
  • Personal motorised watercraft
  • Sailing
  • Steam room

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Luggage storage

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre
  • 5 meeting rooms
  • Computer station
  • Conference centre (56,000 square foot of space)

Outdoors

  • Beach cabanas (surcharge)
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Garden
  • Marina
  • On a private beach
  • On the bay
  • On the boardwalk/promenade
  • Pool cabanas (surcharge)
  • Pool loungers
  • Pool umbrellas
  • Terrace

Full-service spa

  • 6 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Hot stone massages
  • Hot tub
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Prenatal massages
  • Spa open daily
  • Sports massages
  • Steam room
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Lift
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible business centre
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible pool
  • Wheelchair-accessible public bathroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible spa

More

  • 3 floors
  • 8 buildings
  • Ballroom
  • Built in 1959
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • Reception hall
  • Smoke-free property
  • Traditional architecture

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Pillow menu
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 42-inch flat-screen TV with premium digital channels
  • IPod dock
  • Pay films

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Access via exterior corridors
  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 4:00 PM; check-in end time: 2:00 AM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 113 per accommodation, per stay (maximum USD 170 per stay)
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 65 lb per pet)
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 2 children 17 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per night.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 110.00 per night
  • Resort fee: USD 60 per accommodation, per night
The resort fee includes:
  • Beach access
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels
  • Business centre/computer access
  • Fitness centre access
  • Fitness/yoga classes
  • In-room coffee
  • In-room safe
  • Newspaper
  • Phone calls
  • Pool access
  • Spa access

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately USD 32 to 50 per person
  • Self-parking fee: USD 46 per night (in/out privileges)
  • Pet fee: USD 113 per accommodation, per stay (maximum USD170 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Noise-free guestrooms cannot be guaranteed
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.

We should mention

  • Pool access available from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hotel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Up to 2 children aged 17 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Kona Kai Resort & Marina San Diego
Kona Kai Hotel San Diego
Kona Kai Resort Spa San Diego
Kona Kai Resort Spa
Kona Kai Spa San Diego
Kona Kai Spa
Kona Kai Resort San Diego

Kona Kai San Diego Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 535 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 227 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 123 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 58 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 57 out of 1000 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.6/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Starla

Travelled with partner
Too pricey for what it has to offer. No elevators where our room was which was so inconvenient. I would never stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Desiree

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Amenities
The hotel serves as a local club so many teens hang at the pool. Hot tub broken, but very warm pool. Cups not cleaned up frequently at pool and rooms are a bit worn. Pretty grounds.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Chandana

Never book this property. 1. They made us wait for an hour just because we booked on Expedia even though when we checked in late in the night. 2. After payment done on Expedia they charged extra 200 for resort fees and parking. We checked in at 1 am. 3. Breakfast was not included, we paid approx 900 for 2 nights. It was last minute. They even charged for water bottles. When asked for kettle to heat water, they offered as a daily basis on rental. Probably they read my face and said no fees. 4. The cleaning was not up to the mark. The floor was still forty 5. I felt They only care about money The worst ever stay I ever booked feeling like we are nothing. I have had better places where they treated us to luxury for much lesser. After charging so much. They can’t provide a free breakfast ??? lol hilarious.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Camryn

Travelled with partner
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Property was beautiful with great views. I don’t believe you get what you pay for. The rooms and pretty basic, it is not very clean and there’s a resort fee of almost $50 a day but then you still need to pay extra for everything, even a microwave
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Shreya

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Tedenkyalsh

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brad

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jamie, ALAMEDA

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet room - very comfortable, great waterfront trail, onsite restaurant and nearby restaurants. The spa was wonderful and the staff were all great. Hope to visit again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Susan

Travelled with group
Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Seeta, St. Paul

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

2/10 Terrible

Whitney

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Does not look like the same place online and check in was horrible
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Hannah

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Branko

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

scotty

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really love the view and walking lane. Gym is awesome! We sure would return!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sidrah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent service and lovely area
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

DaKeita

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Araz

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthewdavid

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Dog friendly
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

4/10 Poor

Adrian

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Parking gate access is horrible. Room key works half the time. Had to go front desk cuople times. Staff night shift manager had a non-caring attitude. And they charge $45 parking per day and dealing with this inconvenience. Shower head was leaking bad. Not a good first experience. Wont be staying here in future.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael D

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quite and relaxing views were amazing
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Danny

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Safe with gated parking
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025